August 01, 2008

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Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and the Democrats adjourned the House, turned off the lights and killed the microphones, but Republicans are still on the floor talking gas prices.

Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) and other GOP leaders opposed the motion to adjourn the House, arguing that Pelosi's refusal to schedule a vote allowing offshore drilling is hurting the American economy. They have refused to leave the floor after the adjournment motion passed at 11:23 a.m., and they are busy bashing Pelosi and her fellow Democrats for leaving town for the August recess.

At one point, the lights went off in the House and the microphones were turned off in the chamber, meaning Republicans were talking in the dark. But as Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz..) was speaking, the lights went back on and the microphones were turned on shortly afterward.

But C-SPAN, which has no control over the cameras in the chamber, has stopped broadcasting the House floor, meaning no one was witnessing this except the assembled Republicans, their aides, and one Democrat, Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Ohio), who has now left.

Only about a half-dozen Republicans were on the floor when this began, but the crowd has grown to about 20, according to Patrick O'Connor.

See Also: More Updates

"This is the people's House," said Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.). "This is not Pelosi's politiburo."

Democratic aides were furious at the GOP stunt, and reporters were kicked out of the Speaker's Lobby, the space next to the House floor where they normally interview lawmakers.

"You're not covering this, are you?" complained one senior Democratic aide. Another called the Republicans "morons" for staying on the floor.

Update: The Capitol Police are now trying to kick reporters out of the press gallery above the floor, meaning we can't watch the Republicans anymore. But Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) is now in the gallery talking to reporters, so the cops have held off for a minute. Clearly, Democrats don't want Republicans getting any press for this episode. GOP leaders are trying to find other Republicans to rotate in for Blunt so reporters aren't kicked out.

Update 2: This message was sent out by Blunt's office:

"Although this Democrat majority just adjourned for the Democrat 5-week vacation, House Republicans are continuing to fight on the House floor. Although the lights, mics and C-SPAN cameras have been turned off, House Republicans are on the floor speaking to the taxpayers in the gallery who, not surprisingly, agree with Republican energy proposals.

"All Republicans who are in town are encouraged to come to the House floor."

Update 4: Republican leaders just sent out a notice looking for a bullhorn, and leadership aides are trying to corral all the members who are still in town to come speak on the floor and sustain this one-sided debate.

Also, Republicans can thank Shadegg for turning on the microphones the first time. Apparently, the fiesty Arizona conservative started typing random codes into the chamber's public address system and accidentally typed the correct code, allowing Republicans brief access to the microphone before it was turned off again.

"I love this," Shadegg told reporters up in the press gallery afterward. "Congress can be so boring. ... This is a kick."

Update 5: The scene on the floor is kind of crazy. Normally, members are not allowed to speak directly to the visitor galleries, and visitors are prohibited from cheering. But in this case, the members are walking up and down on the floor during their speeches, standing on chairs. The visitors are cheering loudly. Some members even brought in visitors, who are now sitting on the House floor in the seats normally filled by lawmakers, cheering and clapping. Very funny.

Democrats faced a choice here: Should they leave the cameras on and let Republicans rip Pelosi & Co. on C-SPAN, or should they leave the cameras off and let the Republicans have their "tantrum," as one Democratic aide characterized it, with the cameras off? So the cameras are off, but Republicans, and the crowd, are clearly enjoying the scene.

Update 6: Republicans are literally hugging each other on the House floor. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-Ill.), not normally known as a distinguished orator, just gave a rousing speech, accusing Democrats of stifling dissent. He referenced President John Quincy Adams, who returned as a House member after being defeated in his presidential reelection bid. Waving his arms and yelling, Manzullo brought the crowd (including a lot of staffers shipped in by GOP leaders to fill up the place), and he left the floor to hugs from his colleagues. You don't see that up here every day.

Update 7: Rep Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) just pretended to be a Democrat. He stood on the other side of the chamber and listed all of the GOP bills that the Dems killed.

He then said, "I am a Democrat, and here is my energy plan" and he held up a picture of an old VW Bug with a sail attached to it. He paraded around the House floor with the sign while the crowd cheered.

Update 8: It's over.

Right at the stroke of five Georgia Rep. Tom Price announced that House Republicans were ending their impromptu protest on the floor of the chamber, ending a five-plus hour rebellion with a round of "God Bless America."

The assembled tourists, aides and members in the chamber gave Price and his compatriots a standing ovation. They left the chamber to shouts of "USA! USA! USA!"

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Speaking as a centrist who is no fan of either party, I have to give the Republicans major kudos on today's events. Regardless of if you think it's right or wrong, it needs to be done because average Americans, like myself, are sick of nothing being done on our energy prices. I'm sick of hearing how drilling here would not drop the price by much. I guess if you're a rich senator it doesn't matter, but it does to me, and people like me, i.e., the majority of Americans. Pelosi has failed miserably in doing her job as she is playing politics over what the majority of Americans are demanding of congress. Don't ever say to us that you know what's best for us, you don't and you never will.
republicans keep it up and keep pushing this until they can no longer stop you. The majority of Americans support the security, of using our natural resources, to drop prices, and so we can finally become self-sufficient.

Satan's daughter, with her face stretched so tight she always has that "wide-eyed" look about her, is having "666" tatooed onto her forehead at this very moment. The she's off to Cali and her wine-country hotel to hand out the low-wage paychecks to her immigrant workers with little or no health benefits....
Burn, she-devil....

IT is great to see congress critters actually doing the work of the people...the issue that is the main one in the lives of everyday Americans. Way to go House GOP. God Bless you. And Thank God for actually acting like statesmen...acting in the actual interest of the people you represent.

Get all the facts. Read more than one blog: From the MSNBC Storry: Get the full story:
Senate Republicans blocked a bill aimed at curbing speculation in oil markets, while a similar bill and several others by House Democrats ? including a plan to encourage drilling in already available coastal areas and in Alaska ? failed to advance after party leaders brought them to the floor under procedures that required supermajorities to pass. That procedure blocked Republicans from forcing a vote on opening new areas to oil drilling.
Republicans blocked attempts to fix the oil crissis, so Dems blocked their bill. This is not about the will of the people, but about the pocket books of big oil, and a chance to make a scene. Nothing more.

Keep the updates coming -- am e-mailing them to my ping list - your getting airplay on the Schnitt SHow(afternoon drive jockey in florida)
Best dam thing that has happened in Washington for years.
Can we e-mail them beer and pizza?

Hey Bridgett -- get a clue. Republicans have never had 60 votes int he Senate..so the Democrats always blocked drilling in ANWR and off-shore back when the GOP was in House majority... so there you go. Democrats have always blocked drilling -- then and now.

I wish Sarah Pelin would be McCain's running mate! That would be super.
She's governor of Alaska and would help us get that oil!
Go GOP go! Love it when you have the guts (polite word) to represent the people that put you there.

Those of you that are so concerned about the oil companies making a 10% profit also need to go after the gazzillion other companies that make 3 TIMES that on their products if that's so important to you. It's the OIL companies that produce the product and get it to the pumps. Heck, the government gets more per gallon than the oil companies do and they don't do a darn thing to produce it! "Big oil" has also PAID more than $47 BILLION in taxes so far this year, but no one ever mentions that minor detail.

U.S. oil companies already have thousands of contracts in the U.S. where they haven't started drilling by choice. The oil companies should be exercising those contracts. There is no need for off-shore drilling. This is just a ploy by the oil companies to get control of more contracts.
Shame on them.

That great author, who can't sell her ghosted auto-biography;the much lauded, Ms. P. needs to get/take a hint. Her put the lights out on the Republicans; petty little "rub our nose in the manure 'cause the Democrats are going to rule with an iron fist forever after Obama gets the CHANGE vote." Right now her candidate is still out in front, but the strong wind and strong sails ( Lies and money)( guff and huff) that put him there may have run out or are becalmed. Folks, just might be be listening right now and asking "Wha'd 'e say???" He actually might nowe have anything to say; just a lot of pretty words.
We need the oil drilling bills to be passed by Congress, but the Democrats want it to be painful. These people really come off as Sadistic Eugenisists with Grandma P being a chief among them.

I hope all you voters out there remember this when the elections come this fall. N.P should be thrown out of office, but I guess San Francisco is an island for her. The Democrats will not debate. Remember when that was the complaint of the Dems!!!!!

. Pelosi and Reed have shown 300 million Americans that they don't care what we think. They seem to consider that we have no right to choices. What wrong with our system that the right to have dialog in congress can be taken away by Pelosi. I don't want to have the world saved by her alone. I might not agree and now have no voice to be heard.
Norm

Get all your facts: Read more than just one blog> From the MSNBC Story on this:
Get the full story:
Senate Republicans blocked a bill aimed at curbing speculation in oil markets, while a similar bill and several others by House Democrats ? including a plan to encourage drilling in already available coastal areas and in Alaska ? failed to advance after party leaders brought them to the floor under procedures that required supermajorities to pass. That procedure blocked Republicans from forcing a vote on opening new areas to oil drilling....
Republicans blocked attempts to fix the oil crissis, so Dems blocked their bill. This is not about the will of the people, but about the pocket books of big oil, and a chance to make a scene. Nothing more.

This is CRAZY! If these are the best & brightest that those demoquacks can send 2 Washington, might be time 2 emigrate!! If we do it NOW, maybe we can beat the rush!! (Before they close the borders, like they did in CUBA when the commies took over!!) I intend 2 vote absentee & watch the whole CATASTROPHY from under the 300+ Palm Trees on the land I have leased on Mindanao, RP! I am allergic 2 Soylent Green!! Nuff Sed!! CC

What else would you expect from the Democrats, except to go home with out taking action on the
energy problem. They haven't achieved anything for the ASmerican people since they took control of Congress, so why we should we have expected them to do anything else? What a bunch of " do-nothing" representatives!
They should be ashamed of themselves.
Dan B., Lakewwod, Nj

When will some reporter with an ounce of balls investigate this idiot Pelosi? This woman and her husband own restaurants, hotels, and vineyards in California and employ over 2000 people. Do you mean to tell me NOT ONE OF THEM IS ILLEGAL? I bet it's statistically impossible to not find ONE! Save the planet, someone please. Remove Pelosi now!!!!

What a short sighted maneiver by the Majority. If ever there was a time that Congress could could make some head way in restoring the trust of the American people it is now, on the subject of the economy. I'm proud of the minority - and in November, because of stunts like this, they will again be the majority. The democrats cannot lead and have a "let them eat cake" attitude. **** poor, I must say!

The one time the GOP decides to stand up!!! It's to represent the oil tycoons and not the people. Does everyone understand that this is not going to help the American people in our time of crisis. Or is it just my team is better than your team mentality. Come on. Get a grip. They should be shouting for all the mishaps that has taken place over the last 8 years. But they're more concerned about their party. BLECH!!! Stand up for something that matters!

JOHN B:
WILL YOU PLEASE TELL YOUR BOSSES TO LIST THE 'MOST RECENT COMMENTS' FIRST??
IT'S REALLY GETTING TEDIOUS TO VISIT HERE WITH YOUR BACKWARDS POSTING POLICY.
PLEASE... LATEST FIRST... NO ONE HAS THE TIME OR PATIENCE TO SCOLL THRU 1217 COMMENTS TO GET TO THE LATEST... YOUR WEB DESIGN IS SELF-DEFEATING.
THANK YOU.

Are you serious?
Offshore drilling is going to do one thing. Make Big Oil Richer.
You seriously think they will lower gas prices just because they have more of it?
The Facts: Supply is increasingly high right now while demand is decreasingly low...And prices are still high.
Bush lifted the ban to gives his oil buddies free reign on this untapped gold mine, the only problem is they will destroy the beautiful Coasts of America in the process...
Put your damn GOP propganda aside for 5 minutes and use your brain.

Any congressperson cashing their check is comitting grand larceny because the border is still wide open! They have not done their job! The vote for dril here drill now! has not been cast and they took a vacation. DERELICYION OF DUTY IN WARTIME> HANG THE TRAITORS!!!

Contact your local Reps and let them know your feelings, OR follow my lead and contact Nancy Pelosi: http://speaker.house.gov/contact
Madam Speaker -
I think it is shameful to turn your back on the discussion of high gas prices. Turning off the lights and cameras on representatives who are looking to discuss ideas to relieve pressure on tax paying Americans is pathetic. I hope you enjoy your vacation.
Disgusted,
Patrick

Get all te facts. Republicans blocked other efforts to get more drilling to happen, then had their own shutdown and threw a fit......From the MSNBC Story on this........Get the full story:
Senate Republicans blocked a bill aimed at curbing speculation in oil markets, while a similar bill and several others by House Democrats ? including a plan to encourage drilling in already available coastal areas and in Alaska ? failed to advance after party leaders brought them to the floor under procedures that required supermajorities to pass. That procedure blocked Republicans from forcing a vote on opening new areas to oil drilling........
Republicans blocked attempts to fix the oil crissis, so Dems blocked their bill. This is not about the will of the people, but about the pocket books of big oil, and a chance to make a scene. Nothing more.

People in this country are so stupid. I can't believe people are giving kudos and cheers to either the Democrats or the Republicans. They ARE BOTH THERE TO **** YOU. Get that through your thick skulls. Until people become more active outside of this pathetic poltical system - we will continue to get it from behind.

Never thought I'd say this, but keep the reporters in there! Refuse to leave! We need to know, and put on the record, who wants to keep gas prices high and perpetuate our dependence on foreign oil, and who advocates starting on the road to energy independence. Who wants to keep the tentacles of Mideast politics around our throats, and who wants to free us from it.

McCain and the Republicans own the drilling/energy independence issue, and it looks like they're finally capitalizing on it. I'm shocked.

The people are itching to follow someone on energy independence, and McCain's the perfect independent to lead them. Never thought any "Troublesome Young Men" would come out of the GOP, but it looks like they're recreating parliament's antics in 1930s Great Britain. Ahh, the circus of democracy.

I'm packing my SUV and hitting the road for the Capitol with my sleeping bag and a cooler full of sandwiches, baby carrots and diet coke. I can last all five weeks, perhaps to the end of the year if some nice liberal Democrat will let me bunk in with them. Any body need a ride?

Typical Republicans. They violated the Sunshine Laws by debating behind closed doors and without C-Span. Congress needs their vacation so that in 5 weeks they can develop a "real engery" bill. In the mean time just keep your tires inflated.

All this talk of Bush impeachment is moronic. Democrats wake up and quit living in the past. He'll be out of office in a few months. It's time to work on the problems facing Americans today. We are supposed to be a democracy. Let the people be heard.

Brazil is 100% independent of outside need for oil. If a poor, struggling country can do it, why can't the greatest nation in the world do it? My guess would be laziness and greed. We need our own source of oil so we can stop being slaves to the middle east. If it takes 10 years to see a difference, think what that will mean to your children? Rome wasn't built in a day and Oil won't be drilt in a day! DRILL HERE, DRILL NOW! We have to start somewhere!

we need to go back to the day where congress had a couple of months of the year to do the peoples business, then went home to the farm. what they can't get done in a couple of months, doesn't need doing. any more time, and it's just an excuse to spend more of our money.
if they had to spend the majority of their days in their own states, earing an honest living, they'd be less apt to waste our money and block the will of the people.

and yet another example of what happens when liberal democrats are in control - this congress is a farce and pelosi/reid along with their buddies murtha/durbin/schumer should be dragged onto the steps of the Capitol Building and charged with treason

Quote:
Are you serious? Offshore drilling is going to do one thing. Make Big Oil Richer. You seriously think they will lower gas prices just because they have more of it? The Facts: Supply is increasingly high right now while demand is decreasingly low...And prices are still high. Bush lifted the ban to gives his oil buddies free reign on this untapped gold mine, the only problem is they will destroy the beautiful Coasts of America in the process... Put your damn GOP propganda aside for 5 minutes and use your brain.
Do you really believe that supply is going up and demand is going down? Your sense of economics is quite twisted.
Econ 101. The law of supply and demand. Apparently you missed that part.
Keep up the good work. It makes my job that much easier.

Bravo for the Republicans. This week we have seen Obama come out clearly revealing that he is a believer in Marxism as he endorses robbing by force the oil companies profits and returning them (supposedly) to the poor! Just who those poor are he doesn't address but all of us have to pay high prices for gas and it hurts! But that type of approach is nothing more than radical Communism practiced by Stalin, Mao and of late Chavez and Castro!! Also, we have learned this week that Obama personally as a U.S. Senator became involved in a Kenyan political election endorsing a Muslim Terrorist in 2007. This should bring the man Jail time rather than a place running for President! This man must go! He is a liability to our Nation and our people! Also, he doesn't want us to drill for oil which would help our people over time but rather he endorses keeping us poor and making it very hard for us day by day! This elitist and pompous jerk is a disgrace along with his party to America! The world looks at this goons and must be laughing every day! God deliver us from Obama and the Democrats!

Is Hugo Chavez running the House???
It appears that Pelozi and company may just screw up a real sweeping Democratic March to the Sea in Nov!
Fire the lot of them... THEY ARE UN-AMERICAN compared to the great Democrats of yesteryear!!!

Hey "Tired of it," go and drink a nice, tall glass of your Kool Aid! Try and outlaw the laws of supply and demand. The Soviet Union tried to....Yes, there is a correlation between the supply of a commodity and its price. Go back to Econ 101.

We, Republicans would be a little more apt to make a contribution to the party if more Republicans would stand up and grow a pair like these guys. I will be sending a check to the California reps that are there today.

Hey "Tired of it," go and drink a nice, tall glass of your Kool Aid! Try and outlaw the laws of supply and demand. The Soviet Union tried to....Yes, there is a correlation between the supply of a commodity and its price. Go back to Econ 101.

Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Reid may have sorely misread the American public. They have been so intent on blaming the current administration for everything, and thinking that the population agreed with them, that this ploy on energy would be thrown in their pile of manure. Well, this is one voter that is changing the vote this year against a pretty decent democrat -- just to do my part to get rid of both Pelosi and Reid. Surely their on constituents are hurting at their hands. SO VERY SAD! Can only imagine if they controlled the executive and legislative branches!! They would create their own USSR right here in America!!! REALLY PATHETIC!!!

I disagree with Congress getting a month off period. However, Republicans and Democrats are both refusing to talk this issue out! Republicans want only drilling and refuse to listen to other sides. Democrats the same with Renewalble energy. I personaly don't think drilling is the answer. And I understand where Pelosi is comming from. After all the last speaker refused to take up an issue if there wasn't a majority of the majority agreeing with it. My question to those who want drilling, What happens in 30yrs or so, when there is no more oil to drill? Where will we drill then?
Posted By: Jeff | August 01, 2008 at 01:13 PM
Why are people refusing to listen? I have heard time and time again, and agree, drill for the oil we have now. This will get us weened off of foreign oil in 5 to 10 years. If Clinton hadn't vetoed the AMWR drilling bill in 95. He claimed it would take 10 years for that oil to reach the pumps (hmmmm, 2005 oil is $70 or $80 cheaper than now)we would be well on our way by now. Invest in renewable energy sources while we are doing EVERYTHING possible to get away from what we are doing now.
Dems, traitors at best!!! And no, I am NOT a Republican. I AM AN AMERICAN, A FRUSTRATED ONE AT THAT!!!!

If only these stupid Republicans would earn their salary rather than acting like a bunch of willful 2 year olds throwing a tantrum because they didn't get what they wanted, our economy wouldn't be where it is now!

About time someone strapped a set on.
GW needs to call these commies back into session and demand they vote!
Who does pelosi think she is with this "Let them eat cake" attitude?
She needs to remember what happened to Marie Antoinette, it's OUR oil you arrogant witch!
This could be the start of the new American revolution and it's high time!

I'm sure that turning the lights out is a safety issue. Turn them on! Doesn't every word have to be recorded? Keep talking! This is a winning hand. Play it! Push hard and don't pull your punches.
This is "Our Time".

We need to vote GOP this fall. As you can see the Dems do not care for you. People talk about the leases that big oil has. Just because you have a lease does not mean you have an oil reserve. Quit complaining about the leases that they have and let them get leases where there is oil. Come on people, get real!!!!

It seems to me from the responses that a great divide exists. There are those who see the solution to our energy problem in drilling. Then there are those who see the solution in using alternative energy sources.
I suggest that we split the difference; let those who want to drill , drill. And those who want to use alternative energy go their route.
I then suggest that we do what needs to be done and that is for the United States to split into two nations. Those who believe in the genius of the individual, and those who believe in the " wisdom" of government.
It's been way past time for us to realize that this is a divided nation, if not in fact then certainly in spirit. Let the libs run their land, and let we conservatives run ours.

It seems pretty clear that just the threat of drilling, when Bush rescinded the executive order forbidding off-shore drilling, has begun to push oil prices down. Watch them drop more, if Congress can rescind its prohibition, too.

Quote:Do you really believe that supply is going up and demand is going down? Your sense of economics is quite twisted. Econ 101. The law of supply and demand. Apparently you missed that part. Keep up the good work. It makes my job that much easier.

It figures that they would end with "God Bless America." After 20 years of pretending that they are god (Reagan, Bush, and Bush), they probably thought it was an ode to themselves.
Falwell says that Katrina and other disasters are because we have turned our back on God, but it's because we stopped following the precepts of Christ (care for your brother, follow the 10 commandments) that we didn't repair the levees and that New Orleans was left to rot by the Bushie oil men in the 80s.

This is about Pelosi protecting Obama from his no vote on new drilling.
More than 70% of Americans are for more drilling, which will ease some of the current market pressure and provide resources for the future.
I just changed my vote. Pelosi is wealthy and cares nothing about us. She just wants more power.
No wonder Congress has a lower approval rating than even Bush.

I am so upset by the Dems going on a five-week vacation while my family and friends are having trouble making ends meet due to high gas prices.
Don?t you all care about your fellow Americans, help us!!
Drill in the Gulf and keep it for all Americans!!
Novemeber things will change!!

Using the Dems logic we would never attempt to go to Mars or develop new medicines since it would take at least 10 years to see any success. I urge everyone who reads this and does not like what is going on in Washington to vote the incumbent out. Pelosi must go.

The Spirit of PATTON is on the MARCH through this COUNTRY!!
"I shall never RUN out og GAS AGAIN!"
Drill ..yesterday, NOW, TODAY, Tomorrow, NEXT week, and all YEAR!!
Coastal WINDFARMS www.selsam.com....NOW around our entire SHORE LINE.....NOW!!!!
TAP our trash with PLASMA using www.startech.net.....NOW!!!
AMERICANS.....are tired of the B. S. .....DO SOMETHING....NOW!
Republicans.....stay up there and hold court ....until NOVEMBER!!!!
You will win the election if you do !!!!

"I just emailed George W. asking him to please call Congress off of their vacation and back to the floor for a vote to resolve this issue that they keep putting off for purely political reasons."
hahahahahaha. The last eight years personified. Somebody tell this moron we have three branches of government. bush can't tell congress to do anything. Just like he can't control the justice department with gop cronies. oh wait.
Morons.
Just because the gop are fascists, these people thinnk they can do anything. Read a book once in a while. Learn about yoru country. Please. for all our sakes.

Finally! I've been feeling really anxious about the course our country seems to be taking lately. The actions today from the Republicans have given me the HOPE and CHANGE I am looking for. People do not seem to realize how their rights as citizens are slowly being taken away. It's time we stand up and let our voices be heard. I haven't been this psyched about politics in a really long time. Keep up the good fight!

HAHAHAHA...Updates 5-7 especially made 'em look like a bunch of pathetic morons...
'Rep Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) just pretended to be a Democrat. He stood on the other side of the chamber and listed all of the GOP bills that the Dems killed.
He then said, "I am a Democrat, and here is my energy plan" and he held up a picture of an old VW Bug with a sail attached to it. He paraded around the House floor with the sign while the crowd cheered.'
Well in that case get a jumpsuit, let me board a carrier and say:
"Major combat operations have ended. The United States and our allies have prevailed."

Oh I love the irony. All the liberals/dems on here spewing their ignorance about how moronic or idiotic the republicans are while they show their complete and utter lack of understanding of every aspect of the subject and continue spouting the pathetic lies of the dems.
REPUBLIDIOT - your post show's how completely ignorant you are on the entire subject and utterly foolish you look by reading the dem talking points and hoping they're true, THEY'RE LIARS, all of them dem and rep - and you are an idiot.
First, I've got a response for you, idiot. Those acres and acres of leases you keep clamoring about don't hold much and would be far more expensive to drill on than the oil they would produce. Secondly, and I'm typing slow because I know you're an idiot, the leases aren't long enough to survey, drill and produce in a cycle. In other words by the time one company pours millions, if not billions down the whole they lose the lease - that they've spent billions on, to another company who only needs to tap the same hole to reap pure profit.
But let's not let facts get in the way of a good democrat talking point, despite the fact that there's no truth in it, idiot.
Do try to keep up, idiot.
Pelosi and the dems are way out of touch with the American people on this issue and every poll shows it. You liberals keep patting yourselves on the back for being so smart and progressive - the other 77% of the country that isn't liberal is laughing at how completely stupid and hopeless you are.

You would think on the anniversary of the MN bridge collapse that this would not be the topic of conversation in darkened places. Any one vote for the DRILL Act that Rahall put on the floor?
Any one care that the anthrax, domestic terrorism AFTER 9/11, you bozoz, STILL is an open case?
The Gang of 10 in the Senate has the idea that drilling should occur if the State ok's and, that the leases were a rape of the Treasury, adn shoudl be re-issued.
Lurk in the dark all you want. "Conservation is a personal virtue."--Dick Cheney

Well.
It looks like school is out for summer. The gop is up to their childish nnsense again. They do nothing for eight years, but profit off america's downfall. Then choose to act tough and strong when the boy boys leave town for vaction .how brave and tough. Fight when yoru enemy leaves. I guess they have to do soomething. Can't stand up when the dems are in town. All they can do is publicity stunts. And their old people love it. If you weren't so dumb I would think your fascists. Are you fascists gop?
Nevermind. Stupid question. of course you are. Angry whining little elementary school bullies. We'll see how tough they are in 5 weeks. Or better yet, come nov. Get it in while you can gop. come novermber there won't be any repubs left

This talk of controlling the speculators is scary. We live in a free country, which allows us to operate under a free market. In a free market pricing is controlled by consumer spending, output or production and availability of product. The Revolutionary War fought for this free market system. Our forefathers gave their lives for the consumer to have control over the markets. Why are we so willing to give that freedom away? I applaud the revolutionary spirit of those Republicans that sounded their voice today. It is that spirit that gave us are freedoms 232 years ago. It is that spirit, and not just being displayed by congress but by the American people, that will allow us to retain what our forefathers gave their lives for. All those who support the Democrats? attempt to silent the voice of those Representatives should go back and read their history books. It was that kind of civil lawlessness that gave us the ?Boston Tea Party? revolt, and everything else that led up to the signing of our ?Declaration of Independence? from the British control bureaucracy.

It's not only drilling we want, but drilling NOW will have to do for now. DRILL HERE, DRILL NOW...and use the time it buys use to develope other sources of energy (except of course using food for it). Use it all wind, solar, nuke, hydro, synthetic and anything else we can come up with... heck! use our GARBAGE if it's possible...but start somewhere and that is DRILL NOW.
Next get those republicans back on the house floor and continue this discussion so that we can keep the pressure on.

This is totally going to backfire. As a Republican, I am absolutely disgusted with the showmanship on this issue while our house (Ted Stevens, Doolittle, Don Young, etc.) remains a cesspool. I'm all for more drilling, but the fact that we can't stand for principle in our own party just demonstrates how emotion and politics have completely corrupted our party. The American people (as they did in 2006) will punish the Republicans once again come November.

Look at all the right-wing squealing, like a pack of stuck pigs.
I remember the GOP using the same stunt -- unannounced, mind you -- it committee meetings during their 12 long years in charge.
OK then for them, I guess, but not OK now.

I love how Democrats always say that Bush and the Republicans are in league with the Saudis, but the DEMwits refusal to allow drilling on our own soil or convert our coal to oil shows who really is the pockets of the Saudis.

Ethanol is a farce, a very bad joke. Its also a hydrocarbon fuel! It contains hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen atoms forming its molecules. Additionally, one would get 20% to 25% less miles per gallon with ethanol than with gasoline. You will need far more ethanol than gasoline.

Lastly, where are the fuel economy and emmissions test data performed to the EPA Mobil Air Pollution Lab Standards (In Ann Arbor, MI where all cars are tested for emissions and fuel economy) test results showing ethanol is really cleaner burning than gasoline? Its never been done!

Gasoline and diesel are currently the only viable fuels at the moment. The US has huge oil and natural gas reserves. Why not use them until some viable alternative fuel is developed and its necessary production and distribution infrastructures put in place?

Why send 700 Billion dollars a year to the Middle East for oil when we have more than enough of it in the United States?

As an independant voter, Im paying close attention to how both sides of the isle conduct themselves on the issue of energy and the economy particularly.
So far...
Im voting Republican all the way through my ticket this November.
They arent perfect and are definately lacking a brass set of balls on many issues...
But Pelosi and her comrads have done nothing but partisan bickering.
And I want to see their asses out on the streets for failing to do their jobs!
Thats my take on this issue.

Drilling now will create more jobs and help the economy because of that. There is no alternative energy that is available the could fit the energy needs for years to come. Electricity by wind or solar still requires petroleum products to get the built. Don't get me started on solar and the need for silicon which is very damaging to the environment. We demand that this continues and need a resource somewhere that get's national attention to help us voice our opinion and not be drowned out by liberal news media.

I propose that everyone who left for a 5-week vacation (with pay no doubt) just stay on vacation and never come back. You are a disgrace to the legal citizens of the United States of America. Obviously, your trips abroad mean more to you than the people who put you in office.

I love this country. The American Dream ... people's wages are stagnant. But hey, prices are low! You are still getting ahead because you get to buy cheap plastic crap from China. I think I am going to be sick.

We want BOTH oil and other sources of fuel. Ask any republican and that is the answer you will get. These democrats twist the issue by saying Republicans only want oil. That is silly, liberal propaganda fit for a jack ass. Their idea, according to Obama's energy plan, is to inflate our tires and perform a tune up! haha.

Congress diddles while the economy BURNS. These fools need to get in touch with the real world and live like we the common folk. The inaction of Congress on the energy crisis is due to a kind of political "deer in the headlights" phenomenon. They are frozen to inactivity for fear of their political lives, and that of their party, and as such, are incapable of taking care of the People's business. The only answer to this is term limits, whereby the craving for political survival is eliminated.

Right at the stroke of five Georgia Rep. Tom Price announced that House Republicans were ending their impromptu protest on the floor of the chamber, ending a five-plus hour rebellion with a round of "God Bless America."
Well that just shot the whole thing down the tubes! Without any video the "in the tank" media won't cover it, and the Dems just won.
I had thought they were serious, and were going to stay there till Ms. Pelosi called the House back into session...THAT would have worked...it would have taken a day or two, but it would have WORKED....been a Tiananmen Square kind of moment! Can you imagine what would have happend when this thing hit "DAY 2" and "DAY 3" and "DAY 7"?!!! Reporters would have been fighting to get cameras in...Pelosi would have been embarrased into coming back... it would have been all over the radio... turned the entire ELECTION around....
But no....
It's as if Lech Wałęsa had called off the Solidarity strike because it was Miller time.
Just when I had some hope for the GOP.....sigh...

After reading the comments of support for the Republicans and the Democrats...I have come to the conclusion that this country is SCREWED and most citizens are ****ing idiots...People can't see beyond their - my team, your team -attitudes. Both parties are useless. Time for a total flush.

We found out where she stood on democracy when she prevented our duly elected congressmen from expressing the will of the citicens with their votes.
Now we know where she stands on Freedom of Speech. If she does not agree with it, she will do everything possible to silence the opposition.
If she can hold on to these two travesties she will be in a perfect position to achieve their real goals, a communistic America. They figure they have been flirting with socialism long enough. It is time to go for the gold. Nationalize health care, nationalize the oil industry. I assume the media will be next. It should be interesting to see what the fairness in media bill they come out with in the next session looks like (after the elections). Something like if you do not parrot dem talking points you go to jail.
And the dems talk about Bush abuse of power! He is an amature compaired to this female dog.

It's about time, the GOP stood up for something, I'll give you props for broadcasting this, I haven't seen it hardly any news organizations. The democrats need to get off their donkey so to speak and get this done, I'm sick and tired of Nancy Pelosi and her fan club of senators waltzing about. They need to get off their planes and start voting on legislation, this is a mockery of the American Public.

REV. MOTHER PELOSI DO YOU THINK
THAT YOU HAVE CAPTURED THE "HEARTS"
OF THE " AMERICAN PUBLIC " YOU KNOW
THE ONES WHO ARE PAYING $ 4.30 PER
GALLON???? WELL ITS LIKE I SAID BEFORE YOU & YOURS HAVE BEEN IN POWER FOR TWO YEARS, AND YOU & YOURS HAVEN'T ACCOMPLISHED A DAMN
THING!!!! BUT YOU & YOURS HAVE AN
OUTSTANDING " RECESS RECORD "!!!!
WELL NOVEMBER ISN'T THAT FAR AWAY!!!LISTEN WHILE AT RECESS THINK
ABOUT WHAT YOU & YOURS HAVE DONE TO THE " AMERICAN PUBLIC "NOT COMPLETED THE " PUBLICS BUSINESS "
LIGHTS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOU ROCK REPUBLICANS... KEEP GOING.. IF YOU KEEP DOING THIS THE PEOPLE WILL COME.. IT WILL SO EMBARRASS THE DEMS!!!
WE THE PEOPLE LOVE YOU FOR THIS... EVERY REPUBLICAN SHOULD LEAVE THEIR VACATION AND SHOW UP ON THE FLOOR!!!!
PULL ANOTHER "WIDE AWAKE" GATHERING...AS IN THE TIME OF LINCOLN!!!

There isn't much more to say about this except, RIGHT-ON GOP!!! This is what our government is supposed to be doing: Making the will of the people heard. Pelosi can't stifle America's voice. I've never been so proud to be a republican as I am today. Thanks for reporting this, Bresnahan! If it weren't for this website, we might never now about this.

It would be nice if the left would pick which issue they want to address. Is it Global Warming or Energy Independence. Guys, pumping more of our oil is being independent. Failure to build refineries for this long is the real reason we have high gas prices. We could create jobs by allowing the oil companies to continue with drilling and production, and set real standards for changing over to alternative energy where the oil companies can continue to supply energy. The oil companies are in fear that their way of life is trying to be exterminated. That is a bunch of crap to try to stop the source of industry and expect others to rise up in its place.
Anyone who supports the lefts plans is completely uneducated and only looks to their goals and not that of everyone.

McCain must address this act, and support it strongly! Make a campign commercial, put it in your stump speech, play it on the bus . America must drill and refine oil, expand nuclear energy, and stay on offense in the 'War On Terror' (dumb name). We must do this for our soverignty, liquidity and the welfare of all citizens. The 'mainstream media', including television, newspapers, and radio are losing quickly and completely to the Internet, World Wide Web, and the wireless networks. The future is coming on...

tennessean: yeah. amen bro. trying to stop pelosi's tyranny, and express the will of the people! (75%+)
how immature. like democracy is so yesterday ya know. we socialists are so much more grown up. hail hail change! and the tyranny of "maturity".

What do the demo rats think they can bury their heads in the sand and this problem will go away we are hurting out here an the demo rats dont give a rats behind an why do they have so much control of c-span its like we live in China now pretty scarry

It seems like the incompetent Democrats in Congress care more about their August break than the gas/oil prices that are breaking the backs of the American people. This is the worst Congress ever! I can't wait to vote them out in the next mid-term election!

THREE CHEERS FOR THE GOP. I PRAY
YOU SHOW THESE DEMOCRATS HOW TO GET THINGS DONE. DRILL, DRILL, DRILL---PELOSI THINKS SHE'S BEEN CROWNED EMPRESS NOT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE--SHE'S BECOME A BAD JOKE ON OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY.

How come the US is still EXPORTING oil? If increased production and supply (presumably gotten from drilling) will help lower prices, as the Republicans are saying, then shouldn't the first step be to block all exports of oil?

First off - off shore drilling does nothing for US except give oil companies more sources for oil which can be sold into a Global market. Yes Global meaning export etc to those with the money willing to pay for it. Keep in mind Oil shortages is not the issue but they'd like you to believe it is. When is the last time you found the gas station out of oil?
Next - Republicans in the Dark - since when is this news? Haven't they been in the dark for a while now? They seem to still be in the dark given they want more domestic drilling and are misleading the general Public in the thought that domestic oil will reduce our fuel cost at the pump. Shhh - be vewy quiet this is the same public that bought houses they couldn't afford and agreed to crazy loans they couldn't pay they are easy to dupe. Shhh don't say anything about the fact we can sell the oil to anyone anywhere and gas prices are set by Global oil markets not domestic oil.
General Public has zero clue to how things work and like usual the Republicans mislead the masses.
For christ sakes people learn to read and do a little reading about how the oil biz works.

Any of you idiots who say "The Dems just won my vote!" need to perform and self-check on reality. You are rewarding a public servant for going on vacation? At work I WORK. THEN I GET VACATION!!! It is about time the Republicans stood for something. Perhaps they could look at bringing the troops home post haste. That should get some votes...then we could see where the Democrats actually stand. They say bring the troops home, let see if they would?

During the Nixon witchhunt, the catch phrase was "Follow the Money".
So we have enough logical, educated, and inquisitive minds on this blog to put this together.
So I'll start it off:
Who does Pelosi benefit financially by keeping the price of oil artificially high?
Add your list of possibles and then lets follow the threads:
- Herself? Is she invested directly or indirectly in high priced oil?
- Her family? Are any of them invested directly or indirectly in high priced oil?
- Her political donors? Are any of them invested directly or indirectly in high priced oil?
- Her future business associates? What will she be doing after she leaves office? And are any of here future business associates invested directly or indirectly in high-priced oil?
Remember high-priced oil could mean an opening for some other investor to benefit by selling an alternative. Of course we are all in favor of alternatives as a supplement to drilling, but who stands to benefit financially?
OK, I've started it off, any contributors out there?

Jeff says: "What happens in 30 yrs when there's no more oil?" Actually Jeff they have now discovered that the Rocky Mountain Shale oil might hold up to 800 billion barrells of oil. That's three times the amount of Suadi Arabia's oil field. Probably won't dry up in 30 yrs. But I do agree that the drilling companies must be forced to invest in alternative sources while drilling. Here's my idea: for every coal refinery they build while drilling, they must either build a nuclear plant as well, or invest money equivalent to at least half of what the refinery cost into some other form of alternative energy. Makes everyone happy right?

Shame on the Democrats that left. Bravo for those that stayed to debate the evergy crisis since both sides have beem shut down previously by Princess Nancy. I quess she has corinated herself Queen, now!

Of course Queen Nancy and the Dems want the oil companies to drill on the leases they already have -- there is little oil there!
Don't you think those leases would be drilled upon if there was a profitable way to do it????

Way to go GOP from a very frusturated Conservative-Republican. This type of action is what I have been expecting for heaven knows how long. I do wish you all would have continued throughout the evening and even into the night pressuring President Bush to recall Congress, but I must still give all who showed up a very large round of applause. Continue this process with other issues important to the American public like immigration, tax reform, and the insane government spending and we'll have an amazing election victory!

Anyone who voices their support for either the Republicans or the Democrats should have their heads examined? "The Republicans finally stand for something"? Are you ****ing kidding me. Yeah, "THEY ARE TAKING A STAND FOR THEMSELVES". Most of the Dems and Republicans are there for their own glory and to line their pockets. Until the lemmings in this country see beyond the Red/Blue, Democrat/Republican bull, we are going to slowly destroy our country. Our political system is severely broken...I wish I knew what the answer was, but I know it ain't these two parties and the status quo.

These dems act like children...turning the lights out. Next thing we will see is them covering their ears screaming lalalalalalalala.
I really hope these buttheads are voted back in.... We need to get some things done!!!!! And they sure havent done anything!

August 01 says: Where the **** were the Republicans with the offshore drilling and relief for working Americans all the years when they were running the show? Actually August you need a little history lesson, Republicans tried to pass drilling legislation 10 years ago, but BILL CLINTON vetoed it. So Republicans have been trying for 10 years to allow drilling, but Dems keep blocking any at all because they are beholden to the enviromentalists. Imagine how cheap gas could be today if we began drilling 10 years ago? Imagine how good the economy would be if $700 billion was invested in America and not the Middle East? And all you liberals who say "We're just making the oil companies richer" wouldn't you rather AMERICAN oil companies get our money that say Hugo Chavez, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, or anyone in the House of Saud? Just a little thought.

Pelosi brings down the Dem. party! Congratulations! Hillary is grinning as much as the Joker right now........ Go Repubs, drilling may kill one or two fish, but getting rid of our dependence on foreign oil is wanted by the MAJORITY!!!

Thank You republicans for not leaving the American People in the dark for the next 5 weeks during this energy crisis. The left's idiotic hatred of increasing the domestic supply of oil, until a viable replacement can be transitioned to, is going to destroy this country. I think its fair to say that things have gotten considerably worse in this country after 2 years of a democrat controled congress.

Today I am ashamed to be a Democrat after this stunt by Pelosi. She is worth over $25 million. She doesn't give a DAMN about the middle class. I will be voting Republican this election after this crap!

I'm a Democrat, however, I'm glad that the Republicans did this. I'm sick of politics as usual. The Republicans should of taken the "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" approach. They could of galvanized the nation by keeping this impromptu session going for days. They could of kept taking turns. Asked there constituents to write letters and send emails. They could of sent a petition to the President asking him to call the House back into session. After a few days, I think the people would of been on the Republicans side.

The issue:
'Drilling in the ANWR'
What the liberal whiners say:
'Drilling in the ANWR will hurt the environment'
'Drilling in ANWR won't reduce the price at the pump ONE penny for at LEAST 10 years'
'Drilling in the Anwr won't make an impact on our foreign dependence'
'Drilling in the Anwr will only help Exxon make more money'
'And, what about the mating habits of the Caribou?'
Your winning, logical, reasoned arguments:
- Yes, Al Gore paints a picture of the ANWR drilling site that is stunningly beautiful. How dare we even THINK of damaging ANWR'S majestic mountain peaks and the unsurpassed splendor of its gorgeous valleys, with pools of spring water bubbling down the mountain side. Unfortunately, while this may accurately describe the incomparable beauty of Yosemite National Park, it has NO relation to the site for proposed drilling site in ANWR.
Just a tiny fraction, 1.5 million of the 19.5 million acres are to be used at all, and only 2,000 acres are to be used for the permanent infrastructure... the pipelines, oil wells, etc. There is virtually no chance that the environment will be harmed.
- Ah, the "no-relief-for-10-years", argument. Since President Bush removed the Executive ban on off-shore drilling on the outer continental shelf a little over a week ago, the price of oil has dropped $25 per barrel! Just TALKING about domestic drilling drove down the price. The price at the pump has also decreased already. There are other factors, like a slightly strengthening dollar and the fact that suppliers are now worried about decreasing demand. However, the President's announcement got the ball rolling in the right direction, and probably, at least in part, caused some of the other factors to occur.
Imagine if Congress picked up the ball now, and did their job. And dare we even consider a day when we have an actual energy policy that includes domestic drilling in ANWR, or the newly discovered Bakken reserve in Montana, and South Dakota, building nuclear power, give tax breaks to companies who develop alternative forms of energy, etc? Not to mention the oil shale reserves in Utah, Colorado and Wyoming. Utah congressman, Chris Cannon, said that the estimate is that we have 4 TRILLION barrels of oil available there...more than in the entire Middle East. So much for not having an impact on our foreign dependence. ANWR alone, is expected to yield 876,000 barrels of oil, per day.
- Drilling in ANWR WILL make Exxon-Mobile or whatever oil company drills there, more money. AND? Your point? Is it now considered evil to make money in America? If they're willing to take the risk, survey the land, find the oil, put up the rigs, extract the oil from the ground, put it in the pipeline, deliver it to the refinery, and finally have it shipped to the gas pump, why shouldn't they make a profit? It's not a cheap process, and there's no guarantee of a huge payout in the end. As an example, there's an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, called Thunderhorse, operated by BP (British Petroleum), that before it pumped out even ONE OUNCE of crude oil, it cost BP, $7 BILLION. That's quite an investment. Thunderhorse is currently pumping around 43,000 barrels per day now, and eventually, they believe it will produce 250,000, but it won't be up to full capacity for more than 3 years. It's nowhere near profitable yet.
Big oil is getting hammered right now by Congress over their profits. But guess who profits more from the oil industry than even the oil industry? Yes, your government. According to the Tax Foundation, from 1977-2004, big oil made $643 billion in profits. Nice. During that same span, Federal and State governments made $1.343 TRILLION in tax revenues from big oil. Nicer. I think your liberal friends might be mad at the wrong people here.
- As for the mating habits of the caribou, thrown off of their amorous ways by unsightly oil rigs, I recommend...Caribou Viagra. Or Cialis. Or which one is it, that has the couple sitting outside in separate twin bathtubs, holding fingers across the porecelain as they gaze out over a majestically beautiful landscape...ANWR, perhaps? What the heck, have Exxon spring for Cialis, AND a couple Caribou tubs. Plus, maybe they should throw in a few speakers on the rigs to pipe in some Michael Buble. If that doesn't do it, the stinking Caribou don't deserve to procreate.

This Republicans have managed to make themselves look even worse than before in my eyes. This action is as bad a desecration of the House chamber as President Jackson's inauguration, when drunken visitors tore down the curtains in the White House. The Republicans are no better than vandals, like the clergymen who sneaked into the chamber a few years ago and smeared "holy oil" on the chairs.
Thanks Politico for reporting this pitiful fiasco.

The first thing President Bush should do is ground the Executive Airforce including Pelosi's plane, in order to save fuel and the enviroment of course. Then he should issue the executive order for a special session on the vote.
With the Dem's planes grounded, they will need to get back to DC on public transportation. What a shame, traveling with the common man!

"Any of you idiots who say "The Dems just won my vote!" need to perform and self-check on reality. You are rewarding a public servant for going on vacation? At work I WORK. THEN I GET VACATION!!! It is about time the Republicans stood for something. Perhaps they could look at bringing the troops home post haste. That should get some votes...then we could see where the Democrats actually stand. They say bring the troops home, let see if they would?
Posted By: zipit | August 01, 2008 at 06:21 PM
"
the gop mindset.
Stand strong (when the mojority leaves town, how brave) or 5 hours. Great.
Make money off high oil for eight years. Bad?
the gop is the reason our prices are at 4 bucks. for them to blame the dem's is ridiculous. At least we only have to pretend what these fascists think for another few months. then WE finally do live in a free country. If we have to shut down and marginalzie a few fascists to get america back not to mention freedom, it's a small price to pay. the gop played their games. their childish, elementarys chool bully games. Now it's time for the big boys to play our games. :)

In what should be a banner year for the Dems will turn upside down because of this one issue. The majority of Californians now want drilling, the majority of Floridians want drilling, the majority of Alaskans want drilling, and most important the majority of the American people want drilling Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. Pelosi, Reid, Obama, etc. stop bowing to the enviromentalistst that have destroyed our country and give us a vote NOW!! USA! USA! USA!

Typical Democrate's. Pretending to be for "the little" man, but doing everything to keep him dependent on
handouts from Government, i.e. hard
working taxpayers. The arrogance stinks to high heaven, but one day
the Pelosi's and Reid's will stand
in judgement before the creator,
and by that I don't mean the Messiah Obama!

Fine, drill here, drill now. But at the same time, increase the incentives on alternative energy resources.
In any event, you're all wrong about the cost of gas. If you're war hawk media had allowed you to listen to Ron Paul this past year (and for that matter, if you just looked at output), you would know that the cost of gasoline has little to do with supply and is instead almost DIRECTLY proportional to the value of the dollar amd its decline since as little as five years ago.

A registered Democrat for over 30 years and all I can say is - WAY TO GO, GOP! If you'd stayed longer, I would've gotten on a plane first thing tomorrow morning to watch it myself (or just cheer for the USA on the steps, with what by then I'm sure would have been assembled masses).
Imagine that, politicians wanting to stay and work for a change.
I can't believe C-Span didn't broadcast this. Censorship is NOT a hallmark of the Democratic Party I signed on to!

They caved! The Republicans caved! What's left for the disinfranchised now? Say it ain't so, Joe. They caved! The spark of hope that ingnited the imagination of so many has been snuffed. Polosi knew it all along. The Republicans have no balls!

I realize that the House went on vacation today with out any movement on the energy problem. From what I have seen on C-SPAN it looks like the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, railroaded her desires. I hope that her district remembers this when it comes time for her re-election. I also hope you were not party to this kind of tactic to prevent the peoples voice to be heard. She and her constituents should that this is just the kind of tactics that started the Revolutionary War, and at present there is a "silent majority" that have had enough of the way the House and Congress is being run.
I think the Speaker of the House needs to remember that she "serves" the people, and that this is still a government "of the people, by the people and for the people". The people are about ready to "take their country back".....!

Why do the Republicans think that offshore drilling is the only answer to this solution?
Regardless of which party is right, a vote on offshore drilling will not save anyone in the United States any money any time soon.
This seems to me like a public relations stunt more than anything, but I believe it only ends up making them look quite ignorant.
Knowing very well that there are a significant number of other energy, fuel, and economic options out there on the table, why aren't both Democrats and Republicans focusing on those options rather than something that will eventually put everyone in the same situation they are in now in any number of years?
Please everyone, stop being so close minded and focused on off shore drilling. Have you ever thought of what we are going to do with that oil after it is acquired? How many refineries do we have in America? Do you even know what happens to the oil after it is acquired?
Its just not that simple, everyone, please, open your minds and step across your party lines and seriously think about the entire picture, rather than your own personal political gains.

What, exactly, can Congress do to control gas prices?? Isn't it really in the hands of the futures traders, suppliers, refiners? What exactly would you have them do...relax drilling restrictions? And, when do you think that would affect market prices?
Nope. The executive branch ('Dubya) has dropped the ball on this one. Despite ever-increasing prices, Bush has steadfastly refused to take any substantive action. Yes, exploration/drilling restrictions need to be loosened, but so do our petroleum reserves. We also needs to be portraying the "image" of a country committed to ending our addiction to oil, mostly for the sake of perception. I, for one, would love to stick it to the money-grubbing jackasses artificially boosting oil prices. Bush isn't doing his part to make this happen!
My sense is that the executive is to blame at least as much as Congress on the "gas price" issue. Unfortunately, the "talk" coming out of the White House is just that..."talk". Until they take substantive action, I have a hard time buying that "talk".
Cheers,
- Brendan

This is our Democratic party, you know, the one for the "poor and middle class Americans." Pelosi (Dems) blocks a vote on a vital issue to Americans and the politicians give themselves a vacation. Meanwhile families are having trouble paying for gas to get to and from work (if they have a job anymore), difficulty feeding their families and paying their bills while the cold winter months with their high energy costs loom ahead, and this joke of a Congress is off to do their own thing for the next month or so. We elected these people?? Well, then I guess the joke is on us, huh?
If I were the Republicans I would have stayed camped on that floor a very very long time. This may not seem like a good example but "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" comes to mind...Still, it was a nice gesture, we need MORE of it, we need something done NOW.

The people who think that drilling now would not lower prices now are idiots, and the politicians that say so are cheating liars. It is just plain fact that today's price of oil is based to a very significant extent on expectations about the future. That's why oil is high now even though supply is plentiful (over 80 years' global reserves at current demand, not counting the 100 years of oild shale in the US alone).
Drilling now and here will in fact bring prices down today, and the Dem socialists know it. They just do now want America to reach its full greatness. Let's kick them out this Fall!

Nazi Pelosi and her Socialist/Fascist regime are not only suppressing the vote, but they're trying to strong arm the press as well?! WOW! Talk about the definition of Fascism. What next, will she start pulling a Stalin and kill off reporters she doesn't like?
And BRAVO to the Republicans; they are finally doing something good for a change. Jimmy Stewert would be proud!

No one says that is the only answer Jersey, its just one of many the republicans are proposing athought you never get to hear that part 'cause the liberal leaders of your party are stifeling debate. They have too many IOUs out to special intrest environmental groups that are anti-growth and anti-middle class and poor.

Posted By: All democrats are not created equal | August 01, 2008 at 06:56 PM

This is a stunt,nothing moe than the Republicans playing to the spirit of anti goverment sentiment growing in the nation.They are trying to get democrats to comprimise on a Bill that will cater to Big Oil companies of which they work for.They know the blame for high fuel prices lays at their feet and they are full aware that Republican anti sentiment is growing to irrepairable levels.

This is really sad what a great idea lets shut out the lights & go on vacation for 5 weeks & when we come back the problem will be gone.
What a poor display of working for the people.
House speaker you should have made the decision to keep everyone from their vacation to come to a resolve on this issue.
House Speaker
Please stop with your save the planet attitude
signed disappointed in all you democrats

The Dems should be ashamed of themselves!!! They don't give a damn about the American people anymore!!! I have been a Democrat my entire voting life but not any longer. I am going Independent. Pelosi and Reid should be voted out at the next opportunity!!!

The reason people cannot spell is that they are not being educated. It's a blog not the NYT. Big deal you can spell correctly, good for you!
Now call your local rep and ask them for a vote to remove Queen Nancy. The sad thing is...she has probably messed up the chance for a well educated woman to have that post for another 20 years! of course not to mention the damage she is doing to Obama's chance of winning in November. Hey Obama, how many votes did Nancy just cost you?
Smooth!

Repiglicans are like abused housewives... they get beaten on for eight years while the country is flushed down the toilet... but they just keep going right back for more! Give em more beatin!!! Our infrastructures and economy is in the toilet because of them -- but they gotta blame the Democrats. Can't take any responsibility. Well... LIGHTS OUT REPIGLICANS!

Pelosi & the other Democrats need to understand that this is just the beginning of the American People demanding that somthing is done and that the Democrats and the radical enviromentalist have caused the gas crisis. The American People are had as Hell

We have to defeat these communists!.. There I said it!.. Someone has to. The Democrats are COMMUNISTS and they must be defeated. Universal Healthcare!, Trillions in taxes!, Military Budget Cuts (except when they want to add SPINACH!), Promoting Defeat in Iraq!, Constitutional Rights for Terrorists!, NO DRILLING!, Property Confiscation, Anti-Gun 2nd Amendment, The Fairness Doctrine (which doesns't include the print or tv media) Anti-1st Amendment.. etc.. and these people call themselves Americans!.. are they Kidding me!.. My family didn't fight in wars and die for a communist takeover via the political process b.c. the U.S. Military and the 2nd Amendment protect us... Go McCain!

I think its great that Nancy Pelosi turned out the lights. If she and the democrats continue to block oil exploration and development of nuclear power even the congress of the wealthiest nation in the world won't be able to keep the lights on. Americans will just have to suffer while Nancy Pelosi tries to "SAVE THE WORLD"

Just emailed the President to call off Congress' vacation? The president has no control over the United States congress. Consider this revenge for the years when the Neoconservatives ruled Congress and tooks away our personal rights, giving them to monopolies and Federal departments. And off-shore drilling? All this would do is set the oil crisis back a few years. We will have to create alternatives at some point, so why not start now? Why are you people encouraging useless procrastination? At least the new congress is funding solar and electric replacements for oil instead of caving on this offshore oil fiasco.

It is obvious that the Democrotches don't give a hang about the American people. I live in a fairly poor county in Texas, and it is obvious that the poorer families are suffering. Such suffering is passed along to the local businesses. Pelosi's actions will have everlasting effects on this community, and I hope people here will remember what the Democrotches did today.

When Democrats were in the minority, they conducted many stunts and press conferences to get attention. The mainstream media generally obliged and covered the goings on. Now that Republicans are in the minority, the media rarely, if ever, covers their press conferences. I still have seen no coverage of this event today except on fox News. I can imagine if Democrats had done this, every major network would lead with it.

There is some very naive commentary on this board about "U.S. oil companies" looking to drill more "domestic oil" for "us." These guys are multinationals who don't give a hoot for anything except wrenching the highest possible profits out of their operations. Predatory pricing? No problem. Transporting the newly drilled "domestic oil" to fetch $15 a gallon for gas in Africa. You betcha. It won't even touch a refinery in the United States. Now it stands to reason that substantially more oil in the global supply will depress these stratospheric prices, but how that will impact the domestic gas prices (in a market like the US that is already comparatively unerpriced) remains to be seen. Like whale oil and windmills before it, you are seeing the end of an energy source that will shortly be outstripped by demand on an Asian scale. Drilling for relative pittances in the U.S. MAY lighten the load for "us," but only very briefly. Drill if you will, but the way out of this horror show is conservation and conversion, and as soon as possible. To do this, we need an industrial mobilization policy on the scale that existed during and shortly after WWII.
Incidentally, Nancy's no prize, but the Republicans, with whom I was registered for over 35 years and until recently, have become so divorced from reality and so subverted on basic fiscal principles, they can't be taken seriously anymore --now that they have absorbed by the latter-day Dixiecrats, right-wingnuts, and spiritually touched. Thee are still a few level-headed Republicans, but they are getting harder to find every day.

Wow! So Nancy Pelosi controls the cameras, deciding what is allowed to be shown on television, stifling coverage of any "dissent"?
I'll bet Putin and Hu Jintao think this is pretty cool. They're probably taking notes.

Hey, Nancy. Can I go on vacation with you? I can't afford the gas to drive anywhere, or a plane ticket to fly anywhere. I'll just stay home and have a nice dinner . . .oops! Can't afford groceries either.

It's nice to see the republicans finally doing something right. But this hardly excuses the fact they the republicans HAD complete control of congress and the presidency and did not do this then. I expect democrats to work against middle class working people. But witnessing the republicans stand by and do nothing has been disheartening.

Nice Republican's.. At least your not in a hurry to go on a 5 week vacation. If we drill now we will see a significant change in prices because we use more oil than anyone else. Prices will fall. Lets make Iraq pay us in oil for the liberating there country. Noone liberated our country for us. Its called "the service industry. we provide a service for iraq,they pay us for it. at least give us a tip.

I keep hearing the Democrat blather that drilling in the USA won't lower gas prices at the pump. If that is the case, why would releasing oil from our strategic reserve lower the prices as Nancy Pelosi has told us it will? If increasing our own supply won't lower prices, how will more supply from the Middle East or the strategic reserve accomplish it?

Many great comments here. Rob that was a nice list.
But let's not live in fantasy land here. American's rising up??? We put her there in the first place!! (How on earth)
Sorry, but I have almost no faith in the fantasy of Americans rising up anymore.

It's about time the Republicans got some backbone and gave the Democrats "what for." Pelosi turned out the lights and went home!? Oh my God! The country is reeling from lack of gasoline supplies, and she cannot lead a civilized debate of the issues. That is NOT leadership sufficient to "save the planet."

I am one really outraged American ? outraged that Nancy Pelosi today (August 1st) had the audacity to muzzle Congress in the middle of a Congressman?s floor time. What happened to Parliamentary Procedure and free speech? The Democratic party is falling apart, and the ?Gang of 10? seem to be some of the few people in Congress willing to work together as bi-partisans. Pelosi?s reaction was typical ? if you lived in the U.S.S.R. during the Cold War? but wait, this is America. This is a frightening precedent, in which Congressional leadership is allowed to hold Congress hostage while someone has the floor ? not to mention the fact that time was being spent on a matter urgent in the minds of every American today ? the energy crisis. I think Frank Capra?s ?Mr. Smith Goes to Washington? says it best : ?Get up there with that lady that's up on top of this Capitol dome, that lady that stands for liberty. Take a look at this country through her eyes if you really want to see something. And you won't just see scenery; you'll see the whole parade of what Man's carved out for himself, after centuries of fighting. Fighting for something better than just jungle law, fighting so's he can stand on his own two feet, free and decent, like he was created, no matter what his race, color, or creed?.There's no place out there for graft, or greed, or lies, or compromise with human liberties?.Great principles don't get lost once they come to light. They're right here; you just have to see them again!?

I'm a Conservative, however, I am voting for McCain. I am so scared to death about an Obama Presidency..I'll do anything. This man is going to ruin this country.
Please read the new book out by Corsi The Obama Nation. You will get the entire picture.
Yes...Rob...you're right...The Dims are Communists. They are anti-American and they will have us a third world country in nothing flat.
Whether we like it or not...oil is the currency of the world...not the dollar, euro, peso...it's oil and the Democrats...with all that "wisdom", put a nail in their coffin...and I hope the final one.
Final Note...Obama is now "considering drilling"...new on the radio.

What a bunch of crap. Republicans had control over both the House and Senate and Presidency for 6 years and did nothing to ensure domestic drilling... Even John McCain voted against the Anwar and Gulf coast drilling. Now they are Johnny come lately, pointing the fingers at the Democrats and blame them for the energy crisis. What a bunch of crap!!!! Voters... don't be so short sighted and remember who really caused this problem.. who really benefited from this crisis... the Republicans and the OIL companies.. the companies that profited over 50Billion this last quarter. NICE!

Frank: Wake up. Even if we tried to switch to something else "immediately" we still need oil while we're doing that. Not to mention wouldn't you rather our money go to AMERICAN oil companies instead of Chavez, Ahmadinejad, Putin, or anyone in the House of Saud. Imagine if the $700 billion a year we send to the middle east was pumped into our own economy. Oh and about the oil companies "windfall profits", what about the government who makes more off each barrell than the oil companies, for doing nothing. At least the oil companies explore, drill, refine, and ship this vital product to us. By the way I can't afford solar panels or to have my house switched to some other energy so who in the hell is going to pay for it? You? Our government? What in the hell do you think all this is going to cost? DRILL HERE DRILL NOW PAY LESS

Nice to think that, finally, the GOP has developed a set. Here they have a winning issue that everyone can understand, and with the Democrat led congress at a 9% approval rating this could help avert a disasterous beating at the polls this November. It is clear that the Dems don't want a Republican led solution, least they look bad. Oh wait, too late! Pure politics, and I hope it comes back to bite them.

Pelosi's forced communist tactics must not be as important as brad and agelinas new baby. BTW, Brian, cany you read? It was the dems who want the gas prices to stay sky high, they get tons of money from oil companies to keep it high, hence why they left. Odd that republicans were the ones who stayed and dems left, eh?

Democrat, Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Ohio), was Cleveland Mayor when I lived in Ohio. He never did any good for the people of Cleveland at the time, makes me wonder how he ever got that far? Just sounds so typical of the democratic house party to take their 5 week vacation time come hell or high water, Congress has been known to do the same thing from time to time... The real issue is getting drilling resolved as quickly as possible to get this country back on track with fair market purchases and sound employment!!! Games, childish games... R

It's nice to see that republicans will stand up when it comes to fighting for corporate profits. Big Oil need men like them, especially as they're enjoying record income. More drilling! More!!! Nevermind the record profits!
Makes me wish I were a corporation . . . sadly I'm just a citizen.

Well, I hope that everybody who had access to this information finally see the Dem's for what they are:
stalinists, who hate free speech,
arrogant elitists. And today I am proud of house republicans, finally
there is leadership. and you Dem's, keep doing it, you'll
be gone very soon.

Spoiled children. That's all the Republicans are. They pulled the same crap all the ****ing time when they were had the majority, but then it was "God's will" or some other such pretentious nonsense. Do they even realize that the oil companies have enough locations to drill for the next 5 year PLUS and that even if we open up the seas to the Bush Crony Coalition, it won't affect gas prices until Obama's successor is in office? Get a ****ing clue. What a bunch of adolescents.

Pelosi keeps citizens from having a voice in their Government by not allowing their Representatives to speak on their behalf. This is the way Communist rulers act. She has destroyed our Republic!
While we can?t afford to go on vacation, she has her transportation and gasoline paid for by the taxpayers. She is a tyrant!

'"I am a Democrat, and here is my energy plan" and he held up a picture of an old VW Bug with a sail attached to it. He paraded around the House floor with the sign while the crowd cheered.'
That is AWESOME!!!! This is good stuff. Go Republicans!
America wake up and kick out the "Communist Lite" Dems!
May GOD Save the United States of America!!!!!!!

What the hell??? I just spent 3 hours on the road waiting for AAA, because my tire blew out on the freeway. The AAA guy asked me about my tire, and I explained to him how I followed Obama's advice and inflated my tire. He just laughed at me and shook his head.

Why was he laughing? I did what the Golden Child said and inflated my tires really really high. Why did that guy laugh at me for my tire blowing out???

Among the things I've observed about Congressional Democrats and their fellows on the left through the years: absolute free speech applies only to liberal speech, bipartisanship is when Republicans cross the aisle and stand with the Democrats and compromise means the right abandons its principles in deference to the left. I hope Republicans have learned something from this. If they wouold govern as though the nation and its citizens were their most important priorities, they wouldn't have to worry about keeping their jobs.

I applaud Nancy Pelosi for what she did. There are somethings that the people shouldn't be able to vote on and one of them is energy.
Nancy Pelosi was elected because of her strong leadership abilities as well as being able to make sounds decisions for us, rather than relying on a vote that might not turn out right.

I wonder if all you people who are protesting offshore drilling will refuse to buy cheaper gas.. Everyone knows that it is a good idea though not a solution, but at least the average joe wont have to hurt so bad until renewable energy is more practical. Go nuclear!

SMASHING LIBERAL MYTHS:
MYTH: Exxon "winfall profits" were $11.7 billion dollars in the second quarter.
TRUTH: Yes Exxon made $11.7 billion in the second quarter, however, what the media and the liberals won't tell you is that of that $11.7 billion $7 billion was spent on investment in alternative energy new exploration for oil and general overhead. Also on the same oil that Exxon made their $11.7 billion our great government made $20 billion, with no overhead, no ivestment in anything, and no exploration. So if we're going to talk about taxing the "windfall profits" maybe we should look to Washington and not Shell or Exxon.
The Democratic party is beholden to the enviromentalists and this will be their demise! DRILL HERE DRILL NOW PAY LESS

Anyone who votes for a Democrat this coming November should have is head examined. All Pelosi needed to do was allow a vote on driling - it would have passes and the price of oil would have dropped like a lead balloon. Jobs would be created in the US And in two years we would begin to bankrupt the arabs.

I wish I cared. I really do, but I'm so tired of Politicians and their mouth pieces that they could all sit in a circle, sing Kumbaya and light themselves on fire and all it would get from me is a shrug.
This 'drill oil' bit is ridiculous. One, it would take 10 years to get the oil to the pump. Two- there are already outstanding leases which have not been explored and drilled by the oil companies, so I don't see why the coastal shelf is suddenly the 'hot topic'. Three, pumping all the oil out of the ground will do no good if we don't have the capacity to actually refine it into gasoline (or home heating oil) and right now we don't. The oil companies are too busy lining their executive's pockets to worry about building or expanding production/refining capacity. Finally, the Republicans seem to have forgotten awfully darned fast about their own habit of shutting down debate and votes when they had the clear majority of anything that was inconvenient for their party platform. Both parties are full to the brim with hypocrits who pull the same, childish garbage over and over.

Todd says -"Just when i though the repubs could sink no lower. Coming to the aid of their wealthy oil buddies again. Ted Stevens standing trial for his disgusting corruption. President the most despised in history. Treasury bankrupt. and now this. You must be very proud."
Posted By: Todd | August 01, 2008 at 03:30 PM
****Well Todd, I am!!!You can take comfort though, as Pelosi has wanted it, your OPEC buddies will continue to be our source for some of our oil. They're thrilled with the Dems right now. Maybe energy INDEPENDENCE means nothing to you, but it means something to me. I mean ALL forms of energy, not just 'alternative' unproven energy. Ted Stevens is already convicted in the eyes of the DEMS - so much for innocent until proven guilty. Oh, and the grandstanding goes with both parties. How many Federal Bench appointments are still vacant because they have been held up due to Dems? You DEMS only HOPE W is the most despised President in history. As it stands now, the Dem-controlled Congress has an even lower approval rating. Oh and Nancy's book is TANKING and Corsi's book is flying off the shelves. Geee, and finally, some of your own DEMS want to address the energy issue. Guess you consider them corrupt too. Ahhh, the party of Unity!

I applaud Nancy Pelosi for what she did. There are somethings that the people shouldn't be able to vote on and one of them is energy.
Nancy Pelosi was elected because of her strong leadership abilities as well as being able to make sounds decisions for us, rather than relying on a vote that might not turn out right.

They can drill all they want in the gulf or wherever, but it's not going to bring down the commodity price of oil - so it won't make gas any cheaper. See the Pickens Plan. Ya'll clearly don't know the first thing about oil. This was just a stupid stunt - sounds fun, but doesn't do US any good.

Pelosi is both a joke and dangerous to the nation! Her weird ideas on energy will sink America's economy permanently, all because of a fairy tale spun by the odious, idiotic, fat Gore? Who has waxed rich on his fantasies. This is unbelievable! How can American patriots allow this ultra leftist idiot to screw up the mightiest economy in the world? Pelosi represents all the worst aspects of effete Californian decadence. People like her will expose this nation to attack and destruction by all the dark forces running around blowing up people, by the dozen. Harry Reid is no better. His infamous "the war is lost" speech not only exposed him as a cretin, because he was hopelessly wrong, but also indicated the lengths he and Pelosi will go for purely political purposes! These two are essentially traitors who should be summarily cast out of Congress, by American voters. In another country, less kind than this one, they would be tried for treason.I cannot believe Americans will allow these egregious idiots to be re-elected in November? And adding Obama to that pair will sink the ship comprehensively! He's cut from the same leftist, defeatist cloth as they are. Please people, wake up! America needs leaders who are strong, determined to defend this country against all who would attack it, or our allies, and committed to maintaining the free market systems and private capital ownership that made the US great!
The Dem leadership is bent on making America militarily weak via their pathetic pacifism and on destroying the economy via their belief in fairy stories. Another Dem congress and president would also introduce Socialism on a large scale too? This cannot be permitted to come to pass.

I cant believe that people want petro jobs and money to stay in this country, cause hardships to other countries making them fund their own activities ie terrorism etc etc by drilling more in the USA. Lets all just pay 10 bucks a gallon or stay home and just wait until all the greens save the world. In just a short time (with current progress)those who know better than we little people will have the whole world living in peace and harmony oh yah and carbon free. Come on people we need it all and we needed it 10, 20 or 30 years ago-so lets just be good sheep, cant we all just get along ? Unbelievable

The DEMS and GOP are head and tails of the same rotten anti-individual-rights coin.
Whether you're on the so-called "left" or on the so-called "right", help save America, vote for a 3rd party.
The fraudulent "lesser of two evils" fascist neo-feudalistic duopoly must be defeated if individual freedom and the Bill of Rights are to survive.

Maybe, now, you people who put the Dem's in power will see them for what they really are. A bunch of cowards, who think more about their party than what's good for America. Please wise up. Vote Republican!!!!!!!

Don't drill off shore. Don't drill in Alaska. Don't build new refineries. Don't build nuclear power plants. Don't build coal fired power plants. Don?t drive SUV?s. Don?t use your air conditioner. Don?t bring the number one issue of the nation to a vote in the House or Senate. What does a Democrat allow or do except go on a taxpayer five week vacation?
RCM
RCM

I applaud you for staying on the house floor. It's time for the Republicans to let the nation know that they still stand for the common interests of the citizens of the US. Our energy crisis is a matter of national security as well as a potential economic crisis. We must become energy independent. To say that we must "wean" ourselves off of oil is just ludicrous and naive. Every developed country in the world fuels their economies with oil, nuclear energy and some wind energy. We must not fall behind, and we must defeat those who want us to fall behind the rest of the world. Their interests are not with the United States!

Finally. FINALLY! FINALLY the damn repubics found the balls to do the things the damn dems are famous for - PROTESTING! And the damn dems call them morons. This will NEVER see the light of day on the Obama networks I am sure, but thank GOD and the Internet - POLITICO - for bringing this news! I am actually feeling good for a change! Whoops, now I sound like a wannabe first lady.
D'OH!

If in 1994 or 2001 we had leadership that stood up and said "I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of freeing itself from fossil fuels by perfecting alternative energy sources: fuel cell technology, wind, solar, nuclear. No single project in this period will be more impressive to Americans, or more important for the long-range future of our nation; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish." And then fund this project through to its conclusion. Too bad. Missed opportunities. Maybe our new president will have the foresight to declare such a goal for our nation. Fund university and corporate research (kick start the economy while you're at it) to 1/10 the level of Iraq War II.

I'm a working man. Working men need oil. It's a simple situation. We need to drill for oil and gas. Queenie Pelosi wants to arrogantly wield dictatorial power to feed her ego. As Marie Antoinette said, "Let them eat cake!" Well, the same for Pelosi who is now on vacation and my family and I had to cancel ours because of her and her idiotic pea-brain mentality -- she shuts down the cameras and turns the lights out. This is despicable behavior by any congressman whom, incidentally, I pay for. These bums work for me, I don't work for them! It's time to turn her lights out! Working men need oil, I need oil!

GO REPUBLICANS!!!!!!
You go Shadegg, from a (R) from H. Mitchell's dist 5. He has got to go.
Go Blunt! Go McCotter! All you guys, get out there and make some loud noise. DRILL HERE DRILL NOE and we will PAY LESS

I think that alternative fuels are a good idea, however, the price of gasoline and diesel is also driving up the prices of food and other commodities that are necessities for the American public. Nancy Pelosi has shown by not finishing this before taking a 5 week vacation that she really does not care about the American people. Real immediate relief would come by lowering fuel costs so that the goods that people have to have for basic sustenance would not cost so much to ship. All I can say is it must be nice to have a 5 week vacation to do and go where ever you want, because a majority of the people that put her there, cannot afford that luxury.